Sparky’s Column

A huge week in UAE football

 

He picks the ball up in his own half... in two touches he has left the England midfield for dead... the ball appears glued to his foot as he bares down on goal... Terry Butcher, England's no nonsense defender, is left on his backside... Maradona then slides the ball home. That is how I remember the man who single handedly won the World Cup for Argentina. He broke my heart as a 12 year old in 1986 but every time I watch that goal I am still amazed how he did it. Fast forward 25 years and Diego Armando Maradona is set to coach in the UAE. Never in a million years did I think I would be writing those words. The story broke that Maradona was visiting Al Wasl last week which made football fans sit up but in a city frequented by more celebrities than a night at the Oscars it barely raised an eyebrow. When the announcement was made he was joining the club as coach I was sat in the Radio 2 office and from that moment the entire news team was running round gathering facts and figures on the Argentinian. It was headline news that day and for once a football story dominated the front pages rather than the back. The news has put the UAE on the world football map and it is an incredible signing for Al Wasl. The little man's stints as a club manager have been brief and with small clubs in Argentina. They were not exactly flushed with success but regardless it is a major coup for Al Wasl. When Maradona arrives the stadium will no doubt be full and most eyes will be on the touchline rather than the pitch.  I can't wait as I imagine a roller coaster ride, a huge adrenaline rush and you never know what is round the next corner.

 

Onto the other exciting football news this week... Maradona's new club were not much more than spectators as Al Jazira swept them aside to secure the crown of Etisalat Pro-League champions for the first time in the club's 37 year history. The celebrations that followed after the match took a strange turn when one of the substitutes donned a motor cycle helmet as he paraded around the pitch. This was followed by a waddling duck impression by five of the squad and rounded off with several plastic oversized replicas of the League trophy. The key to success at Al Jazira is consistency - Abel Braga has been at the helm for three years now. Stability in the back room staff has brought success in the shape of a double this season. Plans will no doubt be underway already for next season with more trophies top of the list for a Club hungry for more success.